I met Stephen in 2023 at some MIT AI conference. He was the kindest, most grandfatherly person. I was expecting to meet a relatively pontifical person given some of his work, but he was such the opposite that I was completely taken aback. I spent two hours that evening with him and a small group of people talking about language and maths and so on. (He was very kind to let me take a photo: <a href="https://postimg.cc/LYmVCs0G" rel="nofollow">https://postimg.cc/LYmVCs0G</a>)<p>That conversation had a tremendous impact on me and completely changed my attitude towards meeting new people.<p>I am heartbroken for him and his family. And I can see that kind / heartfelt / grandfatherly nature throughout this memoriam.<p>And please, God, let me die with my wife like John Nash did in that NJ Turnpike taxi crash.
An amazingly detailed tribute, you'd have to think this was taken from a journal, in which case it's impressive to keep such a record of their life, or maybe Stephen just has a fantastic memory.<p>Even through that detail you can really feel how much he loved and admired her.<p>> <i>Somehow in the shock of what has happened it feels as if I just met Elise, and now she is gone.</i><p>A reminder that time's cruelty is making the wonderful feel shorter than the painful.<p>> <i>My only solace in this tragedy is that the end came instantly, after a day filled with nothing but joy.</i><p>Hopefully we're all lucky enough to be allowed to rest without suffering while surrounded by loved ones.
This is a moving tribute. Stephen Wolfram's writing often has certain faults, which I mention only to be able to say that he has here transcended them; this is a genuine and heartfelt piece of writing which makes me feel sad for his loss.
This was really moving and sincere. It made me think of my dad's catastrophic stroke while recovering from brain surgery. I wish that, like Wolfram's wife, he had died instantly on the operating table instead of enduring six years of agony for himself and everyone else.
It's a profound thing to lose someone that intertwined in your life. I should know.
A very beautiful tribute to her life and memory.
My condolences go out to her family.
It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, but, god damn does it still hurt to move through that loss. I'm glad it was fast and painless for her and her family.
Thank you for the quote. Here is the verse in full…<p><i>In Memoriam AHH, Tennyson</i><p><pre><code> I envy not in any moods
The captive void of noble rage,
The linnet born within the cage,
That never knew the summer woods:
I envy not the beast that takes
His license in the field of time,
Unfetter'd by the sense of crime,
To whom a conscience never wakes;
Nor, what may count itself as blest,
The heart that never plighted troth
But stagnates in the weeds of sloth;
Nor any want-begotten rest.
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.</code></pre>
tennyson had another immortal line that I reach for in times like this: "But oh for the touch of a vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that is still"<p><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45318/break-break-break" rel="nofollow">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45318/break-break-bre...</a>
I keep coming back to In Memoriam AHH way more often than I would expect; it’s really a great piece of poetry.
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There are different ways to go. I lost my beautiful wife to cancer that was aggressive. The ups and downs, the terror and the joy of hope is brutal. At some point she knew, pretty late in the game but didn’t want to let us all down.<p>My dad died from an aortic rupture. He went to grab turkey to make a sandwich and didn’t make it back from the pantry.<p>It’s all hard, but knowing what she went through and the second guessing and impossible questions we all went through, I’ll take the fatal cardiac event any day.
My understanding is that these catastrophic events typically leave the victim unconscious before they have much time to suffer. I'm not an expert so I'm prepared to be wrong. I hope that was the case for her. I'm aware it could have hurt, too — I suppose the sentiment is that this wasn't a drawn out, needlessly arduous event of waiting and suffering.
My understanding is that people have enough time to register "holy fucking shit, this is it, I'm about to die" before they pass out.<p>That's why they archetypically clutch their chests.
> she had a freak, vast cardiovascular event—and died instantly<p>> But then, soon after, disaster struck, and she collapsed, the victim of a massive cardiovascular event. My only solace in this tragedy is that the end came instantly<p>Perhaps because you are contradicting the author of the tribute with your own unfounded assumptions about the particulars of her passing. I would wager he knows a little bit more about what she experienced than you, surmising in generalities, do. And really, what is the purpose of this quibbling? "Ah yes, I can't let this grieving man have any comfort -- I must assert that actually, his wife must've suffered quite a lot before she died".
What a beautiful tribute.
Beautiful and warmth-filled tribute to Elise . Gorgeous piece of writing reflecting his sense of joy, love and loss. A life well lived.
I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful and touching tribute and she was lucky to have such a loving husband.
That's neat that she designed their house. When I've seen photos of Wolfram in his house I've always thought it looked an awesome high-class place.
This is a lovely and heartfelt tribute. Thanks for sharing this.
You can feel his love for her. Heartbreaking.
Beautiful tribute. Perhaps a reminder to self to write my own version prior to our passing. Such misfortune to be taken so young.
Wonderful tribute.
What a tribute, what a way of writing, honestly i just felt i was living it
Beautifully written. My condolences and wish you all the best!
I've been reading Wolfram quite a bit lately. I'm sad for him and the family, my condolences.
Stephen, we haven't met, but this was a beautiful, heartbreaking tribute. Your wife was clearly an extraordinary person. My deepest condolences to you and your family.<p>Should everyone have someone who loves them so much to remember them like this.
> But from that moment on we talked essentially every day for 36 years<p>Man. Our culture is speed running away from one of the greatest joys you can have in your life (a healthy relationship). Stephen, if you can see this, thank you for opening up. Wishing you comfort and peace.
Sorry for his loss, and for everybody helped by her in any way. However ineffective a comment like this is
My Condolences!
A beloved wife and mother and a brilliant partner as well.
My condolences to the family.
I am not crying. You're crying. Oh, man. Rest in peace, Elise and I'm so sorry for your loss, Stephen.
TLDR;<p>I appreciate this man's love for his wife. I read bits of it. But .. what's the value of this extra long screed?
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Feels a bit strange.
Well shit.<p>Also, certificate error, but that's forgiveable in the circumstances.